Subject: History, Science
Lesson Length: 45 mins
Topic: Research & Writing
Grade Level: 3, 4, 5, 6
Standards / Framework:
Brief Description: From Marie Curie to Jane Goodall, Alice Ball to Gertrude B. Elion, female scientists have always played a major role in the advancement of our understanding of the world around us. Research and celebrate the achievements of these dedicated experts in their fields.
Know Before You Start: This project provides students with an opportunity to conduct a short research project. This is an ideal activity for Women's History Month.
Hook:
- Begin by sharing a few significant accomplishments in science (e.g., this person performed the math calculations that allowed America to enter Earth's orbit and land on the moon, this person won two Nobel Prizes--in Chemistry and Physics, this person was the first computer programmer, etc.
- Ask students if they know what all of these people had in common. After they have offered responses, show photos of each and explain that all of these accomplishments were achieved by women.
Activity:
- Research one or more of the female scientists included in the Pixton characters e.g., Gertrude B. Elion, Fe del Mundo, Marie Curie, Jane Goodall, Lise Meitner, Rosalind Franklin, Alice Ball.
- Using the sample comic as a guide, ask students to demonstrate their understanding of the notable scientist’s accomplishments in a comic.
- The comic should include information such as background, education, and the significance of her accomplishment.
Closure:
- Have students to share their comic with a peer.
- Showcase finished comics in a Gallery Walk.
Differentiation:
- Allow students to use the speech-to-text feature.
- Allow students to use the voiceover feature to read their comics aloud.
- Provide a list of female scientists from which to choose.
Resources:
- Comic to print or display: Comic.
- Book: Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World.
Suggested Content Packs:
The Laboratory
Hidden Figures
